The Impact of Social Media On Students’ Mental Health

Do you start or end your day by checking your social media account? According to data, over 72% of adults and kids have a virtual public space in the United States alone.

Many people pop in for quick check-ins, and before you realize it, you’ve wasted nearly an hour on mindless strolling. Whether you have had an active space for years or recently started using one as a student, you must have heard about the potential negative effect on mental well-being. The virtual community has a notorious reputation for contributing to negative outcomes. They include cyber bullying, depression, and more. But contrary to what many people suggest, social media is not a bad thing. This article explores the downsides of virtual communities in education and how to achieve a balance.

The Double-Edge Sword: How Social Media Affects College Students’ Mental Health

Social media is like a coin with two sides. In other words, it could be helpful and harmful, depending on your side of the argument. University professors assign an essay on social media to intimate undergraduates about the topic. When writing a social media argumentative essay, you must strengthen your position and include a rebuttal for a holistic view. But if you don’t have enough skill or just inspiration, trustworthy essay writing service Supremestudy with a big collection of argumentative essays about social media provide you with suitable examples to help you understand this topic better. But more importantly, pay attention to the argumentative essay about social media instructions and guidelines.

Contrary to popular opinion, virtual space is not inherently evil. If anything, the fault lies with the users. Instagram recently made headlines for suppressing likes to reduce comparisons and hurt feelings associated with content sharing. But does this offer any reprieve?

Humans are social creatures, and the need for connections affects health and happiness. Ideally, virtual connections prevent loneliness and ease stress. But today, people are replacing virtual forums with real-world connections – which is where the problem is. Technology is designed to bring people together. Although, spending too much free time on the Internet will make you feel lonelier and more isolated.

According to parents and educators, the internet community has crippled many people’s interactions. Their communication skills are deteriorating, and consuming the internet also reduces their focus. Undergraduates who spend time on smartphones tend to live less satisfied lives than their counterparts who engage in effective face-to-face interactions.

The internet community has a reinforcing nature. It releases dopamine, and we feel the same way when we have sex, eat food, or interact. Hence, although Facebook and other communities are associated with depression and addiction, consumers always return for more. For example, you don’t know how many likes your picture will receive. Like gambling, the unknown outcome and possibility of a desired outcome promote continual use.

Exploring The Negative Effect on Well-Being

Virtual forums help adolescents build networks, communicate, and create virtual identities. It eliminates all barriers to networking, and undergraduates use it for self-expression and entertainment. But despite its well-meaning design, it has a lot of negative impacts on well-being. Let us explore them below:

Addiction and Disorders

Unchecked use of a virtual forum is linked to various traits of addiction. Examples include:
Personal life neglect.
Mood-defying experiences.
Cognitive withdrawal, etc.

People who belong to at least one internet community must check them once in a few minutes to avoid anxiety. It is a disorder linked with other common illnesses. These individuals stop to check their accounts in the middle of conversations and spend over six hours daily on the internet. They also lie about the time spent, withdraw from relationships, and fail to reduce usage. Ultimately, they neglect or lose interest in school or their favorite activities. In severe cases, they experience nervousness when they can’t check their feeds.

The Feeling of Inadequacy

Many people live fake lives on the internet, and we know it. Most images are manipulated. Regardless, they still make you feel insecure about your life. Most times, people share highlights of their lives instead of low points. Still, it does not reduce feelings of dissatisfaction and envy. Teenagers fall into the trap of comparing themselves to peers and feel worse. Social platforms reinforce the idea that perfection is possible. It also creates a feeling of never being enough. As a result, it leads to jealousy and a vicious cycle.

Contributes To Isolation and Anxiety

Teenagers are more isolated, depressed, and anxious than ever. Many undergraduates say they feel persistent sadness and hopelessness after using social media. The virtual community is a hotspot for spreading lies and abuses that leave emotional scars. Undergraduates spread hateful comments and are victims of offensive reports. Cyberbullying sometimes leads to suicide and constant negative emotions. Virtual space is the only thing they know. As a result, they struggle to detach themselves from their electronic devices. Unknown to most people, virtual communication cannot replace face-to-face conversations. It distances you from physical connections and creates unhealthy self-centeredness.

How Social Media Can Help Undergraduates Discuss Mental Health Openly and Honestly

How you use a virtual community determines its effect. Despite its many disadvantages, the internet space has many benefits. One of its most intriguing features is that it puts the world at your fingertips. It provides leverage for discussing psychological implications without revealing your identity.

Social media is always accessible. Hence, use it to educate teens about its dangers. You can also use it to highlight what causes interest and connect with like-minded people. Hundreds of support groups, informative articles, and valuable tips are online. Internet communities provide access to resources. It also breaks down barriers people face when trying to access resources. Join a virtual support group or find recommendations for healthcare professionals. You can also join virtual events or learn about low-cost resources.

Conclusion

Many undergraduates use the internet as a security blanket in social situations. Sadly, it masks underlying problems like higher stress levels and low self-esteem. Excessive use creates self-perpetuating negative cycles that affect your academic life. Instead of spending your free period online, connect with real-world friends.

Remember that what you see in such spaces is not real; you won’t fall into the negativity trap.

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